Brantley hits 2 HRs, Astros top Rangers 5-3 for 5th straight

Michael Brantley homered twice, Jose Altuve also went deep and the Houston Astros beat the struggling Texas Rangers 5-3 on Sunday for their fifth straight victory.

Rogelio Armenteros pitched five solid innings in his first major league start, sending Texas to its seventh loss in a row.

Brantley put the AL West leaders on the board with a two-run drive to right-center in the first. He added a solo shot to right field in the eighth.

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve flips his bat as he watches his home run hit during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers Sunday, July 21, 2019, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)

Houston scored two in the fifth with a two-out rally that Altuve started with a solo home run to center. Yordan Alvarez hit an RBI single to make it 4-1.

Danny Santana cut the lead to 2-1 in the third with an RBI single for the Rangers. Nomar Mazara hit a solo homer in the sixth off Josh James, and Logan Forsythe had a solo homer in the ninth.

Armenteros (1-0) yielded one run and two hits with six strikeouts. The right-hander earned his first career win after three relief appearances for the Astros.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Rogelio Armenteros throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Sunday, July 21, 2019, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)

Josh Reddick robbed Rougned Odor of a two-run homer in the second, timing his jump and easily making the catch in front of the wall. Armenteros tipped his cap to Reddick, who responded by pounding his chest with his fist.

Roberto Osuna worked the ninth for his 22nd save.

Lance Lynn (12-6) matched a career high with 12 strikeouts in seven innings. He allowed four runs and seven hits.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Lance Lynn throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 21, 2019, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)

Lynn retired 13 of 14 batters, including 10 by strikeout, before Altuve's homer in the fifth.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Astros: INF Aledmys Díaz (hamstring) will have the day off Sunday on his rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi. Houston manager AJ Hinch said Díaz will work out with Corpus Christi on Sunday before the Astros decide whether he gets activated Monday or plays another game at Double-A. "He's playing fine. It's just a matter of volume and him feeling like he's capable of playing up here," Hinch said.

Houston Astros left fielder Michael Brantley, right, watches his hit for a single in front of Texas Rangers catcher Jeff Mathis, right during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 21, 2019, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)

UP NEXT

Rangers: RHP Adrian Sampson (6-6, 4.92 ERA) will make his 23rd appearance and 13th start on Monday in the series opener against Seattle. Sampson will make his first start since July 5 at the Twins, when he was tagged for seven runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Astros: RHP Gerrit Cole (10-5, 3.12) makes his 22nd start of the season Monday in a series opener versus Oakland. Cole struck out 11 and allowed one run in seven innings last time out Wednesday against the Angels.

Houston Astros left fielder Michael Brantley, left, rounds third base as third base coach Gary Pettis, right, waits to celebrate Brantley's two-run home run against the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 21, 2019, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)

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Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez connects for an RBI-single in front of Texas Rangers catcher Jeff Mathis, left, during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 21, 2019, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)

Houston Astros Jose Altuve, left, and Michael Brantley, right, celebrate Brantley's home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Sunday, July 21, 2019, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)